"There aren't a lotta people I'm grateful for," he explained. "It's important to me that you know I am."

He had to keep talking so his mind didn't hyperfocus on the momentary warmth of Gabriel's hand on his or how it made him aware of the warmth seeping through his pants beneath Dal's hand. He really couldn't explain why his heart rate quickened at that touch. Real life wasn't like some fairy story where he'd have some kind of happily ever after with a guy like this.

After a moment, Dal brought his hand back into his own space to finish eating his burrito.